Dog Napsack

Our dog has his own napsack to carry his water, collapsable bowl, 1st aid kit & either frisbee or ball & of course a couple treats His leash gets clipped to it. so it is easy to find. Then we just need a new bottle of water, couple treats & he is ready to go anytimesubmit your tip >

Work & Sport

How to Keep Your Dog Cool

By Dr. Tracy Dewhirst

Exercising and physical recreation are the best ways to bond with your dog. I strongly encourage dog owners to get their dogs moving, because physical activity helps reduce stress, fights obesity and improves behavior problems. However, when outside temperatures are warmer, you need to be aware of limitations the heat places on your dog’s ability to exercise safely and keep your dog cool.

Heat Stroke Can Occur QuicklyYour dog has many natural ways to avoid overheating, including panting, drinking water, seeking shade, and even standing or rolling in a pool of water. However, your dog’s innate mechanisms to cope with heat can be undermined when your friend is exercised or confined on a hot day. Heat stroke can occur within minutes in certain conditions.

Heat stress is more prevalent in brachycephalic breeds (or dogs with short noses), dogs who have recently been ill, dogs with underlying health problems or dogs taking certain medications. And obesity is a predisposing factor for heat stroke.

Keep Your Dog Cool During ExerciseDogs that are not acclimated to warmer temperatures or physical exertion are more likely to suffer heat stroke. Environmental acclimatization takes about 90 days, so dogs moving to hotter climates need to be closely observed during play and exercise. Dogs starting a new exercise routine during the summer should be given rest periods every 10 minutes.

Plan workouts with your dog in the early morning hours or in the late afternoon when temperatures cool down. Bring along plenty of cold water and a collapsible water bowl suited for serving your dog. Remember that although your dog’s footpads are thick and durable, they can become burned and sensitive after being exposed to hot surfaces for a long period of time. White dogs are prone to sunburn and skin cancers, so give them a light coat of sunscreen.

Monitor your dog for signs of heat stress, which can lead to heat stroke. Symptoms include:

Wet the fur and skin with tepid water to speed cooling. Do not use ice-cold water on your dog; this causes vasoconstriction in the skin and actually locks in the heat.

The actual core body temperature in a heat stroke victim does not directly correlate to the overall outcome, but the amount of time the temperature stays elevated does. If you believe your dog is suffering from a heat stroke, take him to a veterinarian immediately. Do not hesitate: Minutes spared could mean a life spared.

Dr. Tracy Dewhirst, a graduate from the University of Tennessee
College of Veterinary Medicine, practices small-animal and equine medicine
in Knoxville, Tenn. She is a long-time columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Dewhirst also sits on
the East Tennessee Peer Review Board. Dr. Dewhirst blogs frequently for Exceptional Canine.

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Posted on August 16, 2011

Every Sunday, during the summer, we take our black Labrador out on runs with the bike. He usually likes to run on the grass to keep his pads cool. Although sometimes he will run on the pavement with us.Is that okay?
We bring a big water bottle for him to use. We'll stop twice during our half mile to mile runs to let him lie down in the shade, and get a drink. He drinks about 1/10 of the bottle. Then, we will spray a shower of tap cold water on his back, he loves it! But he doesn't like to swim. He's terrified of water! That's pretty weird for a lab, I guess. I'm going to try out your way of introducing him to the water. Thanks, so much!